Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 201

Perhaps this was another hidden talent, just like the wrist strength I didn’t know I had before my regression [return to an earlier state].

Like a pitcher destined to be used and discarded in a year, I played games as the lowest rung of the starting rotation, and when even that spot was threatened, I bounced between long relief and mop-up duty.

‘Even that was occasional. From the start, neither the coach nor the staff trusted me.’

It was truly a case of gritting my teeth and bearing it; I only got to play when the starting rotation or the pitching staff was in such a dire state that they had no other choice.

Otherwise, I mostly warmed the bench or stayed in the minor leagues, so I didn’t get enough game experience.

‘So, there’s no way I could have known. Even though I knew my stamina was good, I didn’t know it was this good.’

The closest I came to being overworked before my regression was pitching a bit too frequently during my high school baseball days. But even then, the pitch count limits for high school pitchers prevented it from becoming too serious.

After coming to the States, I was treated like a valuable prospect with a high price tag, so I was given as much rest as possible, leaving no room for anything that could be considered overwork.

So, there was no way I could have known.

‘Slave… it’s not a pleasant term, but it’s not a bad constitution for a player.’

You could call me a slow starter, but it’s not like my body warms up faster than others, so it’s hard to see it that way.

It’s more accurate to say that I’m a workhorse or an iron man who performs best when pushed to the limit.

‘Of course, this is all speculation. There are many players who have ruined themselves by being overconfident. The data only covers last year and this year, so it’s still just a guess.’

But whatever the case, I realized that my body isn’t ordinary, and the last bit of worry has disappeared. Now, it’s time to deliver the victory I confidently promised.

[Joey Fred- hits it! It’s big, folks! A high ball splitting the center of the field! But- it looks like it’s just short. The center fielder chases it all the way- and catches it! But third baseman Jungwoo Lee scores! Joey Fredman’s RBI [Runs Batted In] sacrifice fly! The score is now tied 4-4!]

[Something’s been off since the start of the game. But they finally caught up. That’s the Braves’ strength. They come alive in an instant.]

[Yes, the triple play in the top of the 5th inning seems to have played a big role.]

[It was a play that cut off the opponent’s momentum and brought it over to our side.]

A long hit caught just in front of the fence.

The fly ball was caught in front of the fence because it went to the deepest part of the field; it was a shame it wasn’t a home run.

“Good job. Still running well? It’s really summer now, are you still strong?”

“I’m still young.”

“How is it? Did you resolve your worries?”

As he returned to the bench, his teammates tapped him once or twice to greet him, and Derek, who had scored earlier on Lee Jungwoo’s triple, lightly high-fived him and said that.

Lee Jungwoo glanced back at his question and nodded with a confident expression.

“Yes. It’s still a bit ambiguous, but it’s been resolved cleanly enough.”

“Then all that’s left is to win.”

“We’ve already tied the score, so now it’s up to us to hit.”

A firm statement. Derek smiled brightly as if to say, “That’s right,” and then looked at the Phillies with a pitiful look. It’s still tied, but it seems like they’re doing a good job of controlling their minds. Derek wanted to say, “It won’t do much good.”

“Yeah, that’s all that’s left.”

Their minds, thoughts, and conditions are irrelevant. In the bottom of the 5th inning, the Braves scored 2 runs to tie the game.

Now the momentum has passed to the Braves. Very definitely.

####

Both teams’ starting pitchers were pulled after the 5th inning. Needless to say, the Phillies’ pitcher was already under a lot of pressure. Mancini and the pitching coach thought that today wasn’t Mason’s day either, so they handed the mound over to a relief pitcher.

Already 8 points by the 5th inning, with each side scoring 4. If even the shaky starting pitcher falters from there, the Braves had the advantage.

“That’s right~ Good ball!”

As befitting the Braves, who are said to have an endless supply of bullpen pitchers other than the starters.

Even in this season, when the starting rotation was strengthened by external acquisitions, that strength remained the same.

Even if you exclude the primary setup man Roy Pennington and the closer Stevenson, who are the must-win finishing team.

There were quite a few pitchers with more than enough skills to block the middle innings. Unlike the unlucky Mason, they actively used Lee Jungwoo to steadily accumulate the team’s victories and their own records.

“Captain!”

“Throw it!”

A clean combination play. The center line, where Lee Jungwoo and Derek are holding out, is like a steel wall once the ball starts flying in that direction, completely blocking the Phillies’ attack, unlike the games so far.

The Phillies had to show a good performance in defense, even if they were blocked in attack, and take away the opponent’s momentum like the Braves did. But unfortunately, they didn’t have it.

[The shortstop- couldn’t catch it! A hit flowing through the left-center field!]

[Ah, it seems like the calls between the third baseman and the shortstop were mixed up.]

Lee Jungwoo.

In fact, in most cases, it was a common sense hit course that they couldn’t catch, but the Phillies’ shortstop, who had no choice but to be compared because he was in the same position, didn’t have the skills to cut off the opponent’s momentum with defense alone. The other fielders were the same.

Perhaps because they were heavily influenced by the macho fandom tendency, the Phillies often won victories that seemed to overwhelm the opponent with force from the beginning of the game, based on the power of their strong starting rotation and explosive lineup.

Once the momentum started to shift, those unique strengths were not easily displayed.

On the contrary, from the moment the Braves started to gain momentum, they constantly drove the Phillies to the brink.

[The lineup is a lineup, but the Braves’ bullpen management is eye-catching in today’s game.]

[In fact, if you remember the previous Braves, this may be a little more familiar. It was originally in this format.]

Mancini poured out pitchers as if he were teasing the opponent. Not to mention Mason or Ian Field, who are called double aces. Even Allen O’Donnell, who is evaluated as a three-top system, not a two-top. Even Christensen, who was the first starter before Mason came.

From the 1st starter to the 4th starter, they all eat innings well, so the choice was easy because the bullpen pitchers’ stamina was well preserved. Constantly changing pitchers. On the other hand, a lineup that pushes tenaciously. In the middle of that, Lee Jungwoo played a role of putting a period.

‘Lightly cut it off. You don’t have to be conscious of it- because I have enough power.’

A swing that seemed to guide the ball.

Although no more home runs were hit, Lee Jungwoo hit the ball in all directions, regardless of full swings or push hits. The power from his fully loosened (?) body followed, so even lightly pushed balls often passed the outfielders. Although he didn’t score or make a decisive hit, he continued to drive and shake the ground.

[It’s a little different from when he was on a home run cycle, but this is also Lee.]

[Yes, in fact, this season was originally this type. Unlike last season, instead of aiming only for extreme home runs or long hits, it was a format that continued to drive and naturally create home runs.]

[Thanks to his natural power.]

[Yes, that’s right. To add a little explanation, you can say that a top-class hitter has the best power. Is that too much?]

[Haha, if you said that to another player, it would have been an excessive statement. I’ll just skip it because it’s Lee. At least it’s not wrong if you look at the current record.]

In the end, after being hit hard, Lee Jungwoo walked to first base due to the Phillies battery [pitcher and catcher], which virtually avoided him in the last at-bat. A subtle regret flowed through the stadium.

“Ah, anyway, they lost-”

“Why? It’s a walk.”

“One single and it’s a hit for the cycle!”

“Honestly, what’s so great about that record for Lee now? He’s already done it several times.”

“He did it twice, twice. If he added one more this time, it would be three, which would be the first time since Beltre. It’s the 5th record in history.”

“Oh? There are only that many?”

“And achieving it twice in one season is the 6th record in history.”

“Hey, Phillies, you-”

Some fans who realized that he was challenging a record only then sent a cool middle finger to the Phillies in a happening.

Lee Jungwoo didn’t care.

What’s most important to him right now is his current physical condition, especially his body, which seems to be really loosened up.

‘I don’t know how long it will last. It’s a shame that the All-Star break is in the way.’

6 plate appearances, 5 at-bats, 4 hits, 1 walk, 1 home run, 4 RBIs. One triple. Recorded two doubles. Lee Jungwoo once again sank the Phillies.

There are still two games left.

####

[ATL vs PHI Game 1 – Game Score 11-5 Braves Win]

[‘The Almighty’ Jungwoo Lee, a perfect game that brings the team’s victory!]

[Season 24th home run, triple play, triple, disappointing hit for the cycle]

[‘Phillies’ Rampage?’ A walk that frustrates the record! Lee, the third hit for the cycle in his career will have to wait for the next opportunity…]

[‘Phillis is Not Braves’ Phillies who are not brave in front of the Braves!]

[Philadelphia Phillies! Overturning the advantage of the entire game!]

Immediately after the game, reporters poured praise on Lee Jungwoo, who showed great performance in both defense and offense, and poured out unsparing (?) criticism on the Phillies, who ruined the draft with a walk.

Although it was not the first record in history like the home run cycle, it was a rare record similar to it. The reporters showed no mercy to the Phillies, who threw away such good news, and it was also a disappointing game.

[Ace, Mason Looper’s disappointing performance, but the Braves eventually won!]

[‘Mason is not the problem!’ Fans’ essential answer, ‘Phillies can never beat the Braves!’]

-There is no such thing as absolute in baseball. Except for the Phillies and Braves game.

-Is it an 8-game losing streak against the Braves? It’s a complete defeat this season. It’s serious.

-That’s because they’re used to losing. Even though they take the lead first, you can see them shrinking on their faces.

-Their behavior is macho, but if you look at it, they’re completely chickens. Their hearts have become chicken hearts.

They took 4 points from the giant Mason Looper and quickly chased him off the mound, but the Phillies, who couldn’t overcome the Braves again like in the previous match, were perhaps a little more harshly criticized.

This was also a good story.

Perhaps the prediction that the Phillies might record a complete defeat against the Braves in the first half of the season was smoldering and making the Phillies afraid, and Lee Jungwoo and the Braves personally realized such a terrible slasher movie.

####

[‘Last Samurai’ Iwakuma Takeshi! Ready to play!]

[‘It’s different this time!’ Iwakuma has found a clear answer to face Lee Jungwoo!]

[‘I’ve been waiting for today.’ ‘I will deliver the news of victory to the people in my home country’ Iwakuma reveals his firm will!]

First, Iwakuma Takeshi, who is the hope of the Phillies and the symbol of Japanese baseball.

[He hit it! He hit it!]

[Lee! It’s Lee again!]

[It’s towards the double, but- will the center fielder catch it? Ah, eventually-]

[RBI double with 1 RBI. Sigh, ah, it’s a pity. It seems like the center fielder could have caught it…]

[Chemistry, the chemistry is not good, Iwakuma! With his forkball, his magic ball, forcibly sealed, there is no suitable method. Yes, it’s chemistry after all. Originally, the opponent’s record is often caused by the chemistry between players rather than the difference in skill.]

[They are two proud players representing Asia, but they can’t laugh at each other. The score is now 4-3. Iwakuma Takeshi’s quality start is eventually frustrated.]

Along with the screams of the Japanese commentators who had high expectations, he failed again this time, reaffirming the human chemistry.

[Giovanni Tucci is still strong, but yes, it was Lee again this time.]

[It’s a kind of jinx that has been going on since Lee’s call-up. He’s not an ace, but he’s a top-notch starting pitcher. Strangely, he bows his head whenever he meets Lee.]

[It’s the same as Takeshi, who was the starting pitcher the day before, but it’s a little different. After all, he’s a player with a strong pride, so it’s a curve again this time. Yes, it was a curve.]

[The pitchers who meet Lee tend to refrain from curves. He’s a player with a strong pride in himself, so there’s no way to avoid it.]

‘Torosso’ Giovanni Tucci threw his glove down like he did in the first confrontation, giving up the curve coolly.

Today is the day! Maybe today? Please, even today… Phillies fans showed different reactions and prayed every day for 3 consecutive games. But the result was the same.

Failure to avenge the arrogant brat and the damn club that protects him. It ended with a clean sweep and a 10-game losing streak in the first half.

[Philadelphia Phillies, complete defeat against the Braves during the first half!]

[Angry Phillies and excited Mets, ‘We’ve still won!’]

The series, which was neatly cut off, contrary to the expectations that it might be different this time with the recent good momentum, caused shock, fear, and frustration, worsening the situation.

Philligans [die-hard Phillies fans], whose eyes were turned with anger beyond the limit, roamed around with the momentum to smash everything in front of them. How did they find out, the wheels and windows disappeared from the general manager’s car.

In the process, the two major leagues showed quite extreme aspects.

-Aren’t they a little serious?

-It’s a riot.

-Are you okay?

In the case of AL [American League], they watched Philadelphia with concern or fear.

-The Phillies players will be grateful that the next game is an away game. If they had returned home, they would have been caught and killed by the citizens.

-Leave it alone, they’re always like that.

-Don’t be afraid, they’re more chicken-hearted than you think.

-Ah, I’m really looking forward to the All-Star Game. I’m especially curious about the Home Run Derby.

-I predict that Lee will win the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game MVP.

-I agree, but you’re wrong about one thing, it’s Hunter, not Lee.

-It’ll be Harding.

In the case of NL [National League] fans who were already familiar with it, they just shrugged it off, thinking, “They’re doing that again.”

Unlike the Phillies, who were swept up in chaos and destruction, the other teams were busy looking forward to the dreamland that would be coming soon. A pleasant village festival is more interesting than a dangerous neighbor with anger management issues.